Women for decades have faced discrimination due to their gender. There’s been a stereotype that men are superior to woman and still occurs today. Moreover, some women in the past have been brought up to believe they aren’t fit for many professions and their purpose is to be a mother and raise their children. However, many women have pushed through these barriers, and have accomplished many triumphs. In the YouTube video Woman Photojournalist, Professor Nordell States, “I believe women photojournalist along with women in many different professions have encountered barriers unlike any that their male counterparts have endured.” Many men have believed a woman isn’t fit enough to do their profession. However, woman still face discrimination in the workplace by being paid less than men having the same job title and experience. Unfortunately, some women are even sexually harassed in the workplace. In the article Why Is a Photojournalist’s Gender Relevant to Their Work? written by Paul Melcher states, “I’ve never been able to identify a photojournalist’s gender from the photos she takes. Have you? The answer is no, we wouldn’t know the difference. Nor would anyone know the difference if it was male or female who put out a fire in a burning building or saved someone’s life.
My favorite female photojournalist is Margaret Bourke-White. She was born in New York City and was well educated attending many colleges such as Clarence H. White School of Photography in 1921, Columbia University, University of Michigan and Cornell University. After Graduating college in 1927, Margaret opened up her own photography studio in Cleveland. She was hired by Henry Luce to work at Fortune and Life Magazine. She was one of the first photographers' for Life magazine when it began in 1936. According to International Center of Photography, " she was the only Western photographer to witness the German invasion of Moscow in 1941, she was the first woman to accompany Air Corps crews on bombing missions in 1942, and she traveled with Patton's army through Germany in 1945 as it liberated several concentration camps." After World War II, she then documented Ghandi's fight for Indian independence. She also traveled as a war correspondent during the Korean War.
In addition, many of her photographs featured on the cover of Life magazine. In 1939 she married a novelist Erskine Caldwell and was divorced in 1942. Together they wrote three books, You Have Seen Their Faces, North of Danube, and Say, is This The U.S.A. In 1942 she wrote another book called Shooting the Russian War, where she shares her experiences covering the battle of Moscow. Sadly, in 1952, Margaret was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. However, she still preserved, continuing to capture photographs and write books including her autobiography Portrait of Myself. She retired from Life magazine in 1969 and passed away in 1971. Margaret Bourke-White was female photojournalist who documented many historical moments. She received many awards for her accomplishments such as honorary doctorate degrees form University of Michigan and Rutgers University. Along with a U.S Camera Achievement Award in 1963, Honor Roll Award from American Society of Magazine Photographers in 1964.
Workplace discrimination occurs more than we realize and happens in may forms. Women are treated less favorably than their male employee. Some women could be rejected employment. Whereas, some lose out on promotion opportunities to a male employee with less qualifications. According to Said to Lady Journos article, a news editor assigned a female reporter to the police beat stated, "you're young and good looking, they'll want to talk to you." In addition, a male oncologist whom we'd assume would act in a professional manner stated, " it was such a crime from a male perspective, that Angelina Jolie had a double mastectomy." When I was eighteen years old, I held my first full time position at a nursing home, my male supervisor said to me, "you should be a stripper, I'd tip you well." It was absolutely appalling to hear that come from him, I was young and afraid I'd would lose my position so I never reported his comment. However, it was most definitely eye opening to see how women can be treated in the work place. Unfortunately, in many countries women are treated as even more of a lesser value than in the United States due to cultural beliefs. Today, we have many laws in place to protect women and men from workplace discrimination.
Photo By: Margaret Bourke-White
Year Created: 1940
Why did I choose This Image:
I chose this image because children are so innocent. This child has bandages around her head while holding her baby doll tightly. You feel helpless seeing a wounded child. In the bottom left corner, it states, " Air Raided Victim." Its heart breaking to know children were victims of many wars in the past and even today in other countries.
Texture:
The texture of this image appears soft as the pillow and linens in the photograph. The baby doll the young child is holding also appears soft which continues with the innocence in the image.
Feelings:
This image brings a lot of sadness seeing a helpless child wounded from such violent acts. As a mother, it creates a heavy heart having a child close in age. However, there's a feeling of joy knowing this child appears safe and well cared for.
Obvious Main Subject:
The child is the focus of the image as she is the center of the photograph. The linens and walls appear to be white creating all eyes on the child.
Photo By: Margaret Bourke-White
Year Created:1940's
Why I chose This Image:
I found this image to be very suiting to our topic this week . These are all women welding during World War II. This job in particular must have precise measurements and their welds must hold up to prevent leaks and provide sturdiness. In addition, this job is very hot and can be very dangerous. Typically, even today welding positions or iron workers are men. My husband is an iron worker and there isn't any females working at his job sites as an iron workers.
Depth:
Its clear that whatever these women are welding is extremely large. You can see women father back in the image as the lighting from their welds spark from a distance,.
Contrast appropriate:
There is a lot of contrast within this image displaying different dimensions. This image is very dark, however; there's horizontal features that are in the center of the photograph that help distinguish the depth of the image. The sparks from the torches display brightness throughout the image as there are many women welding.
Rule of thirds:
I feel this image as a whole is the main subject showing women prefabricating and welding steel. However, as you look in the center of the photograph, the woman up front, welding hood says "Jackie." If some of the woman didn't have welding hoods on, we probably would of assumed they were men.
Photo By: Alfred T. Palmer
Year Created: 1943
Why I Chose This Image:
I chose this image because it was also very fitting to our topic. According to the Library Of Congress, these women are working on a "Vengeance" dive bomber, Vultee [Aircraft Inc.] in Nashville, Tennessee in 1943. It appears these two women are creating the nose of the air craft. Even today, its not often you see women going into these trades. I will forever praise women in these fields. Most chose to work in healthcare or business as I did myself.
Expression:
These two women display pride in their work. The woman on the right has a slight grin as she helps her teammate. They are contributing to major pieces of history that are still being featured today.
Color:
This photograph color compliments women quite well. The woman on the left is wearing red lipstick as she utilizes her hand tool creating rivets in the nose of "Vengeance". The color is a bit dull portraying the era it was photographed.
Simplicity:
I find this image to appear simple. There isn't a lot going on, therefore your eyes aren't wondering all around the image. All the attention is on the two women working diligently. In the bottom left corner, there's a man also hard at work. However, he blends in the background.
